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B. L. NEVIUS.

UNDERGROUND CONDUCTOR FOR WIRES. No. 319,112. Patented June 2, 1885.

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N. PETERS, PhabLiilmgnphcn Wnhingtan. ac.

NITED S'rarns PATENT rrrcno BURNEI LEW'IS NEVIUS, OF "WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

UNDERGROUND CONDUCTOR FOR Vt'lRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters-Patent No. 319.112, dated June 2, 1885.

Application filed March 152, 1885.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BURNET LEWIS NE- vwspfllashington city, District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Underground Conduits for Wires; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in underground conduits for wires; and it consists, first, in a conduit which is composed of a terra-cotta pipe of suitable length, and which is open along its top from one end to the other, so as to give free and easy access to the wires or cables within at all times, and which conduit is provided with outwardly-projeating flanges and shoulders, between which the earth catches, so that in case the pavement or com duit is moved by heaving of the frost both the conduit and the pavement will move together, and thus always retain a uniform surface; second, the combination of the conduit having an open top from one end to the other with boards of suitable length, which are placed within the top edges of the opening of the conduitand to the under side of which boards are secured the cross-pieces which strengthen the upper edges of the conduit and prevent them from being collapsed by any undue press are; third, a division having a notched recess in its top to support the wires, and which is provided around its edges with projections for centering it in place between the ends of two pipes,- fourth, in the arrangement and combination of parts, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section of a con duit embodying my invention. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are detailviews of the different parts. Fig. 5 shows the manner of connecting cross-pipes together. Fig. 6 is a perspective of one of the conduits without the division. Fig. 7 shows the manner of connecting pipes together at the curbplate. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the manner of connecting the ends of the metal covers together. Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of two pipes and the division-plate placed in between them.

A represents the conduit, which is formed (No model.)

of a number of sections of terracotta pipes of any suitable length, and which pipes have flaring openings extending from one end to the other, so as to give easy access to the wires or cables at all times. The upper edges "of this conduit are provided with outwardly-projecting flanges B, so that the surrounding earth will catch under these flanges, and thus cause the earth and conduits to move together in case of any heaving from the frost. Below these flanges B the rounding sides of the pipes form shoulders c, and the earth is packed in solidly between the shoulders and the flanges, so that the pipe or conduit must follow every movement of the earth. In the winter and spring, when the earth is caused to heave by the action of the frost, the conduit follows the upward movement of the earth, and then when the earth settles back the conduit also settles, owing to the hold which the earth has upon it between the shoulders and the flanges. Inside of the upper edge of the flaring mouth of the conduit is placed a wooden board, 0, which fits snugly within the edges and serves as a brace to support the upperportion of the pipes of the conduit against any undue pressure which would have a tendency to injure or break the pipe. Secured in any manner to the under side of this board, but preferably dovetailed, as shown in Fig. 4, are a series of cross-braces, F, which snugly fit within the upper flaring portion of the conduit at suitable distances apart, and thus serve to brace and support this portion of the pipe. Placed upon the top of the conduit, and running flush with the top of the pavement or street, is a metallic cover, G, which is provided with flanges H on its outer edges, for the purpose of projecting down over the outer edges of the flanges on the conduit, and through which flanges on the cover are passed suitable hooked turni ng-bolts, I, which serve as locks for the purpose of holding the cover securely in place upon the top of the conduit. lVhen these bolts have their hooked ends turned outward by means of a suitable key or other similar tool, the metallic cover can be at once removed, so as to give access to the interior of the conduit. The ends of the covers where they meet together upon the top of the conduit are shaped as shown in Fig. 8, so as to prevent leakage of water into the conduit. In between the two overlapping ends is made a small channel or groove, J, in which the water iscaught and conducted to oneside of the conduit, instead of being allowed to run direct-l y into it, as would otherwise be the case.

Placed in between the ends of every two adjoining sections of the conduit is a division, L, which has a notched recess made in its top, as shown in Fig. l, and in which notches the wires are supported in position. In the lower edge of each division is formed a recess, N, for the purpose of allowing the water or moisture which may accumulate in the conduit to pass off. Upon the opposite sides of this division are formed small projections O, which serve to catch inside of the ends of the two adjoining sections, and thus center the division in place. \Vhere pipes which extend across both the pavement and thestreet are connected together, a suitable opening is cut down through the top of the curbstone P, and then the two sections of the conduit abut against the opposite sides of this stone, but out of line of each other. The cover of the last section of the conduit which extends across the pavement has a flange, Q, formed upon its end, and which flange projects over the outer side of the curbstone, as shown in Fig. 7. This opening or recess which is cut in the top of the curbstone forms a box, B, through which the wires pass from one section of .the conduit to the other. The covers of those sections of the conduit which cross the street extend flush with the top of the street, so that the vehicles and. animals passing along pass directly over it. These covers, like those which cross the pavement, are locked in place by turning-bolts, as already described. Where a number of pipes are made to cross each other, as shown in Fig. 5, a tapering wooden box is sunk a suitable distance into theground, and the different sections of the conduits have their ends abut against this box or mold. A suitable mass or '[h'lCkHQSS'Of concrete or any other suitable substan ce, a, is then rammed around the sides of the box ormold and the ends of the pipes, and as soon as this concrete hardens the mold is removed, and then the concrete a supports the endsof the pipes in:

position. The metallic cover is placed over the top of this box at the ends of the pipes,

so that access can be had to the wires which:

pass through it at any time. At any suitable points along the conduit the pipes may be connected with pipes which extend down to the sewer, so as to carry off the water and moisture which may accumulate at any point.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A conduit for underground wires or cables having an opening in its topwhich extends from one end to the other, and which is provided with flanges B and shoulders 0, so that the earth will catch between the flanges and shoulders and cause the conduit to move with the earth, and thus always preserve'a uniform level, substantially as described.

2. A conduit for underground wires and cables having an-opening along its top, in combination with a board which is placed inside of its top edges and. suitable cross braces which are applied to the under side of the board, substantially as set forth,

3. The combination of the sections of a conduit witha division which is provided with projections upon opposite sides, so as to catch within the ends of the sections, and thus support the division in place.

at. The combination of the curbstone having a recess formed in its top with the end sections of the conduit which abut against opposite sides-of the eurbstone, and a flanged cover which extends over the outer side of the curbstone, substantially as set forth:

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

v B. L. NEVIUS.

\Vitnesses:

F. A. LEHMANN, B. Lnwrs BLAOKFORD. 

